Johnleo  +  577483 Sat, 18 Oct 08 07:27 AM As the sponsors of the Olympics have learned to their cost, while consumer- and shareholder-activists in the West demand they take a stand against perceived Chinese abuses, in China itself firms' partners and customers are all too ready to take offence. I am quite confused by the two clauses "as..." and "while..." and can't get what they are saying. Could you please explain how the sentence is constructed? Thank you. Johnleo Joined on Wed, Nov 15 2006 Junior Member 90 Clauses

	CalifJim  +  577488 Sat, 18 Oct 08 07:45 AM As the sponsors ... have learned ..., { while ...,  [...partners and customers are ...]} As ...the sponsors ... have learned ..., {even though ..., [...partners and customers are ...]}  {even though ..., [...partners and customers are ...] } , which the sponsors ... have learned ....  Does that help? CJ  CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,458 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche